Rangers and Adam Fox Already Considering Long-Term Extension

According to Elliotte Friedman, the New York Rangers and defenseman Adam Fox might already be looking at a contract extension that would keep the Norris Trophy winner with the Rangers for the foreseeable future. The question is, how much does Fox want to commit now, and how confident is he that he can have another Norris-like season?

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The James Norris Memorial Trophy goes to first-time winner, Adam Fox (@foxyclean), after a fantastic 2020-21 campaign! #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/Uh7tDD5miD

— NHL (@NHL) June 29, 2021

If the answer is that Fox thinks he can do it again, he might not be so quick to extend. He’s coming off a $925K contract and he’s going to be due a massive raise. That said, there’s some strategy involved in negotiating his next deal. Fox will make good coin regardless, but he’s eligible to sign an extension this offseason. Does he capitalize the buzz of his trophy win? Or, does he wait and see what the market looks like next season?

Friedman notes notes the Rangers are likely interested in something long-term now and Thomas Chabot‘s eight-year, $8 million AAV deal is being used as a comparable. Friedman writes, “But he has another year on his current deal and may prefer to wait.”

There is talk that the Colorado Avalanche are preparing to sign defenseman Cale Makar for some serious money. Is he worth as much as $10 million per season? If so, what does that say to Fox who beat out Makar for the award? If nothing else, it would suggest he’s worth more than $8 million.

The Dominos from a Fox Deal

What will be interesting, regardless of when Fox gets an extension done, is how the Rangers prepare or react. If they know he’s going to cost a lot, they’ll likely need to makes moves to ensure they’ve got the money to meet any demands. This is not a player coming off a $4 million contract and getting a $4 million raise. This is a player where the difference between his last salary and his next one could be $7 million or more.

Will the Rangers start to move money in preparation for an extension? The team has some young stars that will need new deals in the next few seasons and finding room to do everything won’t be easy, even if they have $23 million or so to spend before they reach the cap.

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